Good morning!

Day 88…

 

This morning, I realized what I have been missing.  Every morning for the past little while, I have felt a little odd.  I wasn’t sure why but this morning I came to a conclusion.  See…almost every morning for the past several years, I would receive a text or two.  This friend of mine would simply text “good morning” or something along that line.   Well, that certain friend of mine is away for 10 months on an adventure.  So I haven’t received those simple messages each morning and I realized how much I have missed it.  I love that simple phrase.  Good Morning.  I usually do not hear those simple two words since I do not see anyone in the mornings.

 

I used to work with a friend of mine that would say phrase to me every morning when I had arrived at work.  Well, she doesn’t work with me anymore so I do not hear that simple phrase.  Those that I work with really don’t seem to talk in the mornings so…

 

Hmmm….Now I know why my mornings have been so strange. 

 

~Michelle

Faith

 

Day 87…

 

 

Today...my thoughts are on…

 

 Hmmm....

~Michelle

Draper Temple

Day 86…

 

This morning, I had the opportunity and privilege to attend the Draper LDS Temple with some of my most favorite people.  I love these young women with all of my heart and I feel so blessed to be in their presence.  Aw…love them so much. 

 

~Michelle

It is National Walk day....or something similar to that.

Day 85…

Today is National Walk day or something similar to that.  The place where I work encouraged us to go for a walk.  I decided to take along my camera. 

 

 We walked along the Provo River Trail

 

 

 ~Michelle

Oh my goodness! Popcorn

Day 84…

 

I have a sweet friend that is in the Mission Training Center getting ready to serve a mission and I miss her terribly.  SO…last night I decided to make a delicious treat to send to her.  I forget how much I love to bake.  Well…I guess…making Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, and Carmel Popcorn is not really baking…it is popping, melting and stirring.  HA HA!!! 

 

Want the recipe?

 

 

Oh my goodness!  Popcorn

1 cup popcorn kernels, popped

1 lb. Almond Bark

1lb. caramel

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl. Pour crushed candy canes over the top of the popcorn. Melt the almond bark according to the package.

Once the almond bark is melted.  Mix well. 

Pour over the popcorn.  Pour the popcorn out onto a piece of waxed paper, parchment or foil.  Spread it out into an even layer and leave it alone. 

Melt the caramel and drizzle over the popcorn.  Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle over the popcorn and caramel.  Leave it until the almond bark and chocolate has hardened. 

When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks.  Toss in a bowl and eat!!  So delicious!!!

 

 

~Michelle

A beautiful day...

Day 83…

 

I spent the afternoon at the Provo Temple with some dear friends of mine as they were sealed for time and all eternity.  It was powerful to witness how far these beautiful friends have grown in the gospel.  It was such a special day.  Aw…what a very special day!!!

 

~Michelle

In the sight of God...

Day 82…

 

 

I found this quote and I absolutely love it.  I love the quote.  I love the font.  I love the colors.  I printed and framed this one and placed it in my room.  LOVE IT!!!  

Want one too…go here  http://www.mmprintables.com/2013/10/where-we-are-willing-to-go-free.html

 

~Michelle

I love to read!

Day 81…

 

Last night, I arrived home from my trip and I was so glad to be home.  I love visiting and exploring places but there is something that feels so right about being home.  Safe and secure.  So, I took the opportunity to just be at home tonight.  I curled up in my chair and read and read.  I love to read.  I love exploring new places, making new friends and feeling every emotion that one can feel as they turn each page of a book.  I just love it. 

 

~Michelle

I love to see the temple!!!

Day 80….

 

On our way home from St. George, Mom, Dad and I stopped off at the Payson LDS Temple to check out the temple.  It is so beautiful.  I cannot wait until it is opened.  Aw…I am so excited. 

~Michelle

St. George, sun, shopping and sharing..

Day 79… Today was filled with plenty of sunshine (maybe a little too much…I forgot to apply sunscreen) and plenty of shopping. It has been such a fun adventure and I am grateful that I was able to spend some time with my family. They truly bring happiness into my life. I am lucky to have them. and playing this fun game… A perfect day filled with plenty of sun, shopping and sharing!!
~Michelle

The adventure continues...

Day 78...

I love being in St. George.  It was definitely a much needed break.  Today we spent most of the day at the Children's Museum and swimming in the pool.

We learned to milk cows

and mail letters

and shop at the grocery store

and test our knowledge

and learn to tell time

 and dance

and sing

 

and fly in airplanes

and drive a mail truck

 

and look through a periscope.

We had a lot of fun at the Children's  Museum.  I am grateful for a family you loves to explore.

~Michelle

..and the adventure begins!

 Day 77...

The adventure begins…we are in St. George for the rest of the week.  I love that place.  I love spending time with my family. 

We first stopped off for lunch at Wendy's in Nephi...

 

 

Then...off to the cheese plant to pick up some "squeaky" cheese....

 We arrived in St. George, swam and then got ready for a night at the Tuachan to watch The Little Mermaid.

 

What a fabulous night!!!  If you haven't seen The Little Mermaid at the Tuachan...I suggest you do.  You will not be disappointed.

 

~Michelle

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Day 76...

 

Aw…I have the most amazing mom.  I love her so much and I am so grateful that we were able to spend some time together tonight.  We ended up running some errands and then stopped at the Cocoa Bean for a delicious cupcake. 

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

~Michelle

a prompting...

Day 75...

Have you ever had a prompting to do something and you have no idea what the reason behind it is or why you even acted on that prompting?  I had one of those moments tonight.  I had left an activity that I had been attending with the young women in my ward.  I ran an errand and on the way home, I had a feeling to stop at a home of where a dear sweet young friend lives.  As I sat in the driveway of this home, I contemplated of what I was doing.  Why?  Why, was I prompted to go there? What?  What was I going to say?  How was I going to go about it? 

I felt so strongly that I needed to be there.

I jumped out of my car, ran up the steps, rang the doorbell and waited.  This family opened the door and I stepped in. 

No prompting came of what to say or do.

I quickly said, “I felt like I needed to stop by and say hi”.  Ok…I was feeling a tad bit awkward.  A friend of mine told me once (well, she told another friend and that friend told me) that it drives her bonkers when I say that I was prompted to say something or to do something.  I cringed when that sentence popped out of my mouth. 

This sweet little friend just looked at me.

More awkwardness.

Then…it came.  The reason I was supposed to be there.  I knew why I was there and I knew what I needed to day.  For the next little while, we chatted.

As I sat in my car in her driveway, peace came and emotions swelled in my heart.  My advice to you (if you would like my advice) is to try and head to all of the promptings that you get even when it feels so awkward.  The awkwardness is only a distraction…peace will eventually come and the reason that you acted will be presented to you.  I do want to add a disclaimer…sometimes you won’t know why but the peace will come. 

Smiles fill my whole heart and soul!
~Michelle

a bittersweet day!

Day 74...

Today I spent most of the day being with this friend of mine.  She will be soon entering the Mission Training Center to serve an LDS mission in the faraway land of Poland.  Two days to be exact. There are so many emotions that I am feeling right now that I cannot even describe.  I am so excited for her have this incredible adventure but on the other hand, I am going to miss her terribly.  We have had our ups and downs and a lot of those downs have been horrible but over the past few weeks, a lot of those downs have been replaced with forgiveness and a genuine change of heart.  We have been friends for so long—we laugh, we argue, we cry, we tease, we watch movies together, we ask each other questions that make us think, we giggle, we talk deeply about the gospel, and sometimes when we are together, we just don’t say anything.  I am going to miss her more than I want to.  I just love her to pieces.  Good luck Ash in that faraway land!!!  I will be praying for you each and every day!!!

 

Love ya!!

~Michelle

Just a quote...that fits perfectly!

Day 73..

Lots on my mind today…this quote fits it perfectly.

My little BFF

Day 72...

 

Do you know what is awesome?  It is when your little BFF shows up to visit you on a day that is a little tougher than other days.  She can bring so much sunshine to actually take away some of the gray clouds.  I love this  little niece of mine.  I am so grateful that she is a part of my life.  It makes life sometimes a little easier when you know that you are loved so unconditionally.  It truly brings a smile to my face and definitely to my heart

Aw...I just love this girl!!! I just love being her aunt!!
~Michelle

A random picture showd up on my phone...

Day 71...

 

 

I was looking through the pictures on my phone today and came upon a picture that I have no idea where it came from, who took it, who it is but it truly made me smile.  The tenderness of this picture is powerful beyond words. 

~Michelle

 

It is a glorious time to stamp and chat!!

Day 70...

Tonight was Stamp and Chat and we had a glorious time.  Look what we created: 

 

(picture taking from Vieve)

 

I love creating cards—almost as much as I love sending  them in the mail. Do you want a snail-mail-pick-me-up?  Let me know, I would love to send you a card or two. :)

 

Happy creating!!! 

MichelleJ

 

 

It is a boy!!

 Day 69

 Vieve’s sister, Rory, is going to have a baby.  I am so excited for her.  Babies are so special and bring a sense of heaven into a home.  Aw…I am just so excited for her.  She is going to have a little boy.  SO FUN!!!  Anyway, Vieve decided to throw Rory a baby shower but the problem is Rory lives in Washington and Vieve lives in Utah.  So, the decision was made that Vieve would fly Rory out for a special baby shower.  It was so much fun. She received lots of fun things!!  This little one is going to be simply spoiled.  Love it!!

Along with lots of friends, family and gifts, we had delicious treats.  Vieve made a plethora of cupcakes, fruit trays and dip; Mom made her delicious cheese balls and I added to the treats—cake balls.  Oh, I love making these fun little delicious balls of goodness!!!  They are so easy and fun!!!

 

  

Happy day to you!!!
~Michelle